Alternative (sic) music of the last 30 years

2012 According to … Catlow

MPT’s review of 2012 continues with my second Transatlantic contribution to the series. one of the most pleasant surprises of the year for me was the return of Canada’s Catlow after a long hiatus. So I was delighted when sniger’songwriter Natasha Thirsk agreed to take part.

Your Music

Your own musical highlight of the year?

Releasing Pinkly Things after a five year hiatus. Thinking of creative ways to help with promoting the record like fan generated media (see the new video for ‘Remorse Code’). Getting back full time in the writing ring for next year’s record. Having most of the songs from Pinkly Things placed in TV shows before the year is out!

Favourite performance of the year?

We took a trip to Chicago this fall. I had always dreamed of going to such an influential musical city. We got to the Chicago All Stars Blues Revue at the Kingston Mines Blues Bar.

Playing NXNE Festival in June.

I booked and coordinated a new festival this year just outside of Vancouver so that was pretty cool. To pick some of my favourite local bands to play a three staged festival I organized. The Zola’s, We Are the City, Fine Times and many other great bands.

What’s the one thing that went wrong in 2012 you’d like to fix?

Not getting off of the continent to tour, especially Europe. Would like it to be a priority next year.

What you gonna be doing next year?

Finish writing for the next album and recording in February & March. Working with Howard Redekopp (New Pornographers, Tegan and Sara among many others). Hopefully hitting some festivals and making more videos. Releasing videos to “Pinkly Things” and “Run to Me”. Plan on getting to Europe somehow on tour!

Others’ Music

Songs or LPs you’ve listened to the most in 2012?

Zeus- ‘Busting Visions’

Blitzen Trapper- ‘Furr’

Hall and Oates – EVERYTHING

Divine Fits ‘A Thing Called Divine Fits’

Telekenesis- ‘12 Desperate Straight Lines’

Shins ‘Port Of Morrow’

Best gig attended?

Bright Light Social Hour at NXNE.

Swervedriver (in Toronto) and Archers of Loaf in Seattle. Two of my all time favourites!

Biggest surprise of 2012?

The Divine Fits (Spoon, Wolf Parade collaboration) but both those bands are fab so maybe not so much a surprise. Heh.

Biggest letdown of 2012?

Not getting to tour Europe! Not touring abroad period.

Anything and everything

Event of 2012

Presidential election in the USA.

Lowpoint of 2012

I lost four people in my life this year. Dealing with grieving and facing the reality of never seeing them again has been really hard on me and their families and friends. Especially the last three months since two close friends passed tragically.

Hero of 2012

My friend Ken who just beat cancer!

Villain of 2012

Cancer and Death.

Favourite place of 2012

Chicago!

Favourite book of 2012

Taking the Leap by Buddhist monk Rema Chodron. All her books are extremely uplifting especially in tragic times. She really speaks to me.

Favourite film of 2012

Seven Psychopaths. Who knew it was going to be such a well written script and with Christopher Walken, Tom Waits among other heavyweights? Also, laugh out loud funny and great soundtrack.